Munster confirm Robin Copeland signing from Cardiff Blues

Munster have confirmed the signing of forward Robin Copeland from Cardiff Blues on a two-year deal from the end of this season.

The 26-year-old Leinster Academy graduate will join up with Munster when his contract with the Blues expires in July 2014.

The Wexford native has carved out an impressive reputation in Wales, and collected the man of the match award for a powerful ball-carrying display in their victory over Toulon in the second round of this season’s Heineken Cup.

Munster Head Coach Rob Penney said: "We've seen Robin in action first hand and we've always been hugely impressed by his potential.

"From his experience in playing a number of positions he brings a great deal of versatility and we believe he will be a great addition to the squad.

"He will add value to a highly competitive area of our game.”

Copeland joins a strong corps of back-rowers at Munster that already includes Peter O’Mahony, James Coughlan, Sean Dougall, Tommy O’Donnell and CJ Stander.

Munster continued their Heineken Cup campaign with a 36-8 victory over Perpignan at Thomond Park on Sunday.

The province have said that scrum-half Conor Murray will have a scan on his knee today after suffering suspected ligament damage in the early stages of that match.

Out-half Ian Keatley is expected to be fit for next week's return fixture in France after being forced off with a dead leg in the same game.

Munster also confirmed today that wing Luke O’Dea has been ruled out for eight weeks after fracturing his thumb during Munster A’s defeat to Plymouth on Friday.

Elsewhere, Jonathan Sexton's Racing Metro have said they will not play their next big domestic tie against Top 14 rivals Toulon at Stade de France after shipping an embarrassing 32-8 defeat to Harlequins on Saturday.

The club said: "In light of the result against Harlequins on Saturday, this has forced us to accept we are not a part of the great teams of the moment," read a statement on the Racing Metro website.

"The Stade de France is reserved for such teams and we do not belong there.

"Thus Racing-Metro has decided to cancel our match with Toulon which was due to be played there on December 29 and play it instead at Colombes, our historic ground, where we hope to rediscover our form."

Sexton was a second-half substitute in the match, but was unable to turn the tide as an undermotivated Racing succumbed to a committed performance by Quins.

RTÉ.ie is the website of Raidió Teilifís Éireann, Ireland's National Public Service Broadcaster.
RTÉ is not responsible for the content of external internet sites. Images courtesy of Inpho.ie and Getty Images